Broncos Defeat Steelers In Overtime
Tim Tebow led the Broncos on another dramatic comeback Sunday in Denver’s first playoff game since 2005.
The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in overtime to advance in the playoffs and play the New England Patriots next Saturday night.
The game ended on an 80-yard hookup from Tebow to Demaryius Thomas on the first play from scrimmage in overtime. Overtime ended with just 11 seconds off the clock. It was the shortest overtime period ever in NFL history. The previous record was a 14 second end to overtime thanks to a 96-yard pass by the New York Jets to defeat the Buffalo Bills in 2002.
The Broncos took the lead early jumping to a 20-6 lead in the second quarter.
A 30-yard pass from Tebow to Eddie Royal gave the Broncos their first lead 7-6. It was followed by an 8-yard Tebow touchdown run than three minutes later. A pair of Matt Prater field goals helped put the Broncos up by two touchdowns to close the first half.
The start of the second half quarter was dominated by the Steelers. Pittsburgh came roaring back with a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It was matched by a Prater field goal but the Steelers kicker hit another field goal with about ten minutes left in the game.
The Broncos lost the lead late in the fourth quarter when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Jerricho Cotchery on a 31-yard pass with less than four minutes left in the game to tie the score 23 – 23.
The Broncos won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first. Their touchdown came just 11 seconds into the extra frame and negated a new rule that would have allowed the Steelers to match their overtime score if they had managed just a field goal.
Tebow ended the game with 316 yards passing, a personal best for the second year quarterback. It was also a career day for Thomas who ended the game with 204 yards receiving.
The victory was also sweet revenge since the last time the Broncos were in the playoffs in 2005 they were defeated at home 34-17 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who went on to win the Super Bowl that year against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Broncos are 4-0 this season when pushed to overtime.
